We were heading cross country in Florida on our way to meet up with some PA neighbors that spend 4 or 5 months down south to avoid our winter weather. Driving along the US-441 in Mount Dora I spotted this billboard held up by a Big Pencil. I made a quick U-turn and pulled into the parking lot of Charlie Johnson’s Building office. As we were walking up we met Carl Ludecke, the VP and son-in-law of Charlie. He was a wealth of information about the billboard: erected in 1987 for about $30,000, grandfathered in and now worth a whole lot more. Income from the sign is “Better that Social Security!”

On our way to Boyertown, PA to visit a gift shop for a little Christmas shopping and we spotted this Big Boot. I thought it was a permanent Big Boot but as we got closer it turned out to be an inflatable. A little disappointed but it was one of the better inflatables I’ve seen. We didn’t stop to see Santa but we did discover the Jukebox Restaurant in Boyertown. 7 kinds of soup (I had Crab Bisque,) great place, we need to go back.

On our way to look for a little pine tree for the front of the house we stopped by Bustards Christmas Trees close to home to see what they have to offer. Since we are fairly new in the area we had not shopped at Bustards before. After pulling in I saw this inflatable that I know I had to get. Bustards is a very friendly place and their motto “Real Trees make Scents” appeals to me.

This Big Burger can be found in front of Antonio’s Pizza and Cabaret on Crescent Ave in Avalon on Catalina Island. We had dinner on the deck overlooking Avalon Harbor. This place is more than a pizzeria, although I’m not sure exactly how to describe it. Also in Avalon is Original Antonio’s Pizzeria and Deli a few blocks away. I don’t know the back story between the two Antonio’s. It would be interesting to know.

In Avalon on Catalina Island I spotted this ice cream cone at Lloyd’s on Crescent Ave. This cone entices visitors to enter into the sweet zone. Lloyd’s has the mandatory vacation spot sweets: fudge, taffy, ice cream and all kind of sweets. What a place.

After visiting The Broad and having lunch at downtown’s Grand Central Market we were on our way to the Fashion District for a little shopping. Along the way we passed the LA Coca Cola bottling plant and what did we spot but these decorative Big Coke bottles. Had to stop and grab an image.

While in Los Angeles, Julia and Dan took us to The Broad, a contemporary arts museum featuring the collection of Eli and Edythe Broad which opened in 2015. There are two floors of gallery space showcasing some of the 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection of post war and contemporary art. Best part is the admission is free. You can plan ahead and get dated, timed tickets or wait in line for same day tickets as they are available. Once inside I turned a corner and wow, a Big Thing. This is art that I can really enjoy.

After getting the image at Rosenthal Wine Tasting in Malibu we continued west on the Pacific Coast Highway. In the 28000 block stands this Big Guy wearing a sombrero. The building is now vacant but one would have to assume it once contained a Mexican restaurant of some type. Not sure what he is holding, maybe a serving tray. What do you think?

Along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, CA you can’t miss this eye catching table and chairs. The West Coast correspondent had Bird Dogged this spot in past trips up the PCH and was excited to grab this image for the website.

While in Reading, PA we were excited to attend the 1st Annual PretzelFest. It took place in First Energy Stadium where the Phillies AA team plays. I was at a Fightin Phils game earlier in the year. This area of Pennsylvania is home to a great number of pretzel and snack companies, some large and some small. This was an opportunity to learn about some of the smaller vendors. Of course, what would a PretzelFest be without beer and there were a number of local micro-breweries in attendance as well. We found these dog near the front entrance of the ballpark.

We were in Reading PA for a Gordon Lightfoot concert and the next day we stayed in town visiting the Berk’s County Heritage Center where this Distlefink is located. It was created in 1984 and given to the park by artist Ramon Lago.

We were looking for a place to eat and ran across a shopping center in Middletown, DE that looked like it would have a restaurant or two so we pulled in. While driving through the center we spotted this inflatable mattress. However, we didn’t find a place to eat.

On our way out of Kitty Hawk with all the vacationers ending their vacation on Saturday morning we spotted a couple of Big Things at the Mill Farms roadside stand. Had to pull over and get this Big Strawberry and Big Chicken. It was good to take a little break from the non-stop traffic heading back home from their vacation.

I’ve never experienced such a concentration of Big Things in an area. The area from Nags Head to Kitty Hawk is for some reason just loaded with Big Chairs. I would like to meet the salesperson that was able to sell so many chairs in such a small area. This collage is only 6 of the 10 chairs that I found. For all I know there were more that I didn’t find.

On our way out of Columbia, NC, after we captured the image at the Vineyards on the Scuppernong, what should we find? Another unexpected Big Thing, this time a Very Large Shrimp (can there be such a thing?) This was a nicely handcrafted metal shrimp in front of the Full Circle Crab Company. They look like they wholesale various types of seafood from this location on Elm Street in Mantes, NC.

We were making our way to Kitty Hawk and stopped at the Columbia Visitors Center off I-64 for a break. Coming out of the center the Chief Photographer spotted this Big Thing across the street. We crossed Elm Street to get this photo opportunity. A nice unexpected find.

Along US-17 we spotted this chicken standing in a field. After making a quick U-turn we found that it represents the Go Chicken Coop activity center. Located in Winnabow, NC at the corner of Bell Swamp Connection and US-17 the Go Chicken Coop offers activities for the family to share. They would like people to set their devices down and spend time interacting with one another. Sounds like a good plan, I hope they make it.

As we traveled north from Myrtle Beach we spotted this Big Bell on the property of the Bell & Bell Buick-GMC dealer. We stopped and had to drive through a field full of GMC pickup trucks to reach this Big Bell. As you can see, it was worth the effort.

This toad is in front of Pacific Superstore along US-17 in Myrtle Beach. Again, I don’t understand, why stores have something in front that don’t relate to the concept of the store. If you are selling beachwear, why is there a toad in front of the store? Not to mention it is on the east coast. Why not Atlantic Superstore? Go figure!

I didn’t get the connection but this sea captain is in front of Best of Philly on US-17 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The place is small but it is a bit of South Philly transplanted to the South. The cook is actually transplanted from South Philly and they use Amoroso’s Bread so you a guaranteed authentic rolls. We passed on the chance to grab a steak here and continued up US-17, finally eating at The Village Café in Hampstead, North Carolina. Hate to say it, but I had a better meal than a cheese steak. Stop in if you are in the area.